Janez Bogataj’s book S Slovani za mizo (With Slavs at the Table) has received the prestigious title Best of the Best – Slovenia in the World at the Gourmand Awards ceremony in Riyadh.

The book, published in 2015 by the Forum of Slavic Cultures, was honored during an on-stage announcement at the Saudi Food Festival in Riyadh. At the ceremony, Andreja Rihter, director of FSK was presented with a certificate along with the official “Best in the World” and “30 Years of Gourmand Awards” logos.

Edouard Cointreau, founder and president of the Gourmand Awards, praised the book for its “depth, research work, and cultural significance,” highlighting its important role in preserving and celebrating Slavic culinary heritage.

Established in 1995, the Gourmand Awards are the only international competition dedicated exclusively to publications on food and drink culture. The competition attracts entries from more than 200 countries and is free of charge and open to all languages, making it one of the most inclusive cultural initiatives in global gastronomy.

This year’s ceremony in Riyadh brought together guests from 96 countries. The next global gathering of culinary culture experts will take place in Paris in September 2026.